This would be a way to deploy solar power collectors without disrupting remote and pristine public lands-
It also seems to me that a way to use the electricity to power a new generation of vehicle might also be possible.
Idaho man gets federal money to develop his idea of putting solar panels in highways. By Rocky Barker. Idaho Statesman.
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He has been a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and also its President. For many years he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
Sounds like a plan. Though, its still in experimental testing. But, are they actually building solar panels into the road? With vehicles running over them?
That’s the way I read it, but I like the way this guy is thinking outside the box. Has anyone thought about putting solar panels above the interstates? Maybe we could put a continous roof over the highways made of solar panels. Not only would it generate power, but it would cut down on snowplowing costs buy reducing the amount of snow on the roadways as well as provide shade in the summer. Of course they would need to have open sides, no tunnel effect, so we could see Idaho’s magnificant scenery.